The Ashes | 1st Test - Travis Head scores 150 at rapid rate to secure 278-run lead

Australia secured a mammoth 278-run lead in the first innings at the ‘Fortress’ Gabba by putting up 425 runs against England. Australia were bowled out halfway through the first session of the game on Day 3, but not before doing some psychological damage to the English bowling order.

Starting the day’s play at 343/7, Head and Mitchell Starc chose to take on the bowlers against anything that they bowled a touch fuller. Starc eventually got out for 35 of 64 balls against a half volley from Chris Woakes which he tried to swat over the deep square leg fielder.

However, this did not stop the momentum of the home side, and Head kept on attacking from one end. He brought up his 150 with a slog sweep against specialist spinner Jack Leach in just 143 balls, at a strike rate of 105. His staunch technique against the short of length deliveries was put to full use on the Gabba pitch that consistently offered good bounce. He was able to get the balls down effectively and scored a truckload of runs through square on the leg side.

Things got fairly one dimensional from there as Head looked to attack everything offered to him with the tail unable to survive a bouncer barrage from Mark Wood.

Head was the last one to depart in the Australian first innings, while exposing his stumps to a Mark Wood yorker.

England after two days of incredible toil would now look to survive for long enough to see through this game.